Microschools aren’t new to America’s education system, but with shifts in public education—from funding barriers being removed to political policy changes and curriculum inconsistencies—they’re making a comeback.

In Philadelphia, the newest addition is our Freedom Arts Academy, just steps from the convention center and blocks from the historic Avenue of the Arts. The brain and passion child of Founders Khalil Queeman and Corrien Elmore-Stratton, Freedom Arts Academy was specifically designed for Black and Brown student artists that have a need for a safe learning space that provides a tailored educational plan to every student. Not only does Freedom Arts Academy provide a non-traditional constructivist approach to teaching and learning, but FAA also affords young artists a safe space to grow their craft with professional teaching artists.

Serving ages 6 to 18, the academy offers certified teachers for small group or one-on-one instruction, studio space for dance, music, and visual arts, and even areas for students to relax and practice self-care throughout the day. Beyond academics, Freedom Arts Academy builds a close-knit community among educators, student artists, and families, with each “Freedom Family” committing to monthly field trips, quarterly showcases, volunteering when possible, and encouraging their student’s journey.

What makes Freedom Arts Academy stand out is its half-and-half model, with mornings dedicated to academics and afternoons focused on the arts and life skills. This schedule values quality over quantity, giving students the chance to self-manage their priorities. At the heart of it all is continuous self-discovery. Student artists explore history and the African Diaspora alongside many other cultures, races, and ethnicities. The school is filled with images of strength, pride, and unity, offering a variety of positive representations of people, places, and things that students can connect with.

From the school’s mission and goals to its vibrant, student-painted walls, every detail helps make Freedom Arts Academy a unique, creative, and inviting place. It’s the people—from the Founders and staff to the students and Freedom families—who shape it into a community that values creativity over conformity and relationships before rigor.